I recently reconnected with my foster sister through Facebook. Not that we weren't friends on Facebook, we are and have been for some time but we never really conversed deeply like we are doing now. I knew that she had been sick but until we had started to really talk, like we did when she came to live with my family, I hadn't a clue as to how serious it was.

My foster sister suffers from EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome). Click on the name to read about it. In a nutshell it changes the collagen in your body. Collagen is the most important protein in the body. With EDS changing the collagen in your body it affects pretty much everything. Muscles, joints, hair, skin and keeps you from healing. Granted there is more to it then this so please click on the link and educated yourself as this a rare disease with no current cure.

Back to the reality slap. I have had my surgery and I am in a sling for 4 weeks and when the sling comes off it will be another 20 weeks until I get back to my regular routine. So I was having a pity party and complained to my foster sister about how I feel like a useless lump because I am limited by what I could do. Here comes the slap. Her response, "So imagine today that someone told you it was only going to get worse and effect every single part of your body. And that you'll end up in a wheelchair and possibly a feeding tube.Seriously imagine it!"

In my mind this setback was frustrating as I am trying to do good for our veterans. By her giving me that little slap, my foster sister made me realize that lots of veterans struggle with injuries, being needy and feeling worthless when they return, when many of them want is acceptance and understanding.

So the next time you see a veteran who may or may not show the visible scars of war be sure to show them respect, acceptance and understanding. They after all earned it.